Yesterday we went shopping after the Little Gym. Normally Daddy and Frunty go off on Sat. mornings for the L.G but the last two, I have come as well to do some filming and so that afterwards we can do some things. We were looking for a microwave as we think with a new baby in the house, it may be a lot easier and quicker to heat up stuff from the freezer for last-minute meals. We came home with underwear for Frunty!



Frunty wants to wear underwear, he says. It's Sunday and his first day ever of wearing underwear. I think that J got on the phone and told him he should wear underwear but I am not sure. He doesn't like a wet diaper and or wearing anything for that matter. But today he is happy wearing his new underwear (with dogs on them, paw prints and "woof woof") and we will see how it goes. Lately Frunty wants to use the toilet as well, not his potty. We have tried never to pressure him about any of this, just gently encouraging instead, and he sees what J is doing who is six months older and he tries to copy her.



We aren't in a rush about toilet training but if he does want to go to playschool he has to be just about toilet trained. We aren't sure about preschool for the moment. We are busy with the L.G and are starting back up with Mandarin lessons as of this Monday. We have been trying to get him to bed early. Currently Frunty goes to bed at about 8pm and sleeps through til 9 am or 9:30am. So we would have to revamp that too.



On the one hand, it is such a great opportunity for Frunty to be learning French and he definitely picks up a lot at the L.G. He would no doubt be pretty fluent in a few months if not weeks. And since we might not stay here, it would be a shame to miss that opportunity. Experts say that the capacity to learn will never be so great again. Well...we'll see how this underwear experiment goes.



Just now, Daddy said he was going to walk Mowgli so I quickly dressed Frunty because he wanted to go too after he grabbed 50 cents. When I put on his pants I reminded him that because he was wearing underwear, he would have to tell Daddy if he had to go pee pee. And Frunty said, in the most adorable way ever, "I know. It's okay, Mommy." There are moments that just could not be any cuter. And perhaps he'll forget as he is throwing one glass bottle into the huge recycling box after another, or bending down to pick up a little daisy that is growing into the sidewalk or trying to close someone's gate or climb up somebody else's steps. But who cares? He is trying on his own terms to do a very big boy thing and I am impressed!



Please remember that this blog is partly my own diary of events so that I may never forget all the treasured times we are having with our little guy while "Tiny baby" is kicking away too. This morning the guys said "hello" and other fun stuff to Tiny Baby who kicked in response. Once I have digested my oatmeal/bulghur concoction (yes, I eat this because it is good for pregnant women) piled high with raspberries to help it all go down easier, I will take Tiny Baby out for a run.



Have a great Sunday everyone.

Today Frunty and Daddy played trains while I went for a run. The light dusting of snow was gone when we woke up and it seemed mild enough to get out there. I decided to run to the Cinquantenaire Park to see how long it would take. It took about 10 minutes. I hope to meet K there for a run sometime soon. During the run, Tiny Baby started leaning on something which made it uncomfortable for me to run. After a gentle nudge, this Tiny Baby moved over graciously thus allowing me to continue running. I ended up running for an hour! I am so grateful that I can still run. The last few runs were uncomfortable and I almost thought my running days were dwindling down. But today's run has filled me with confidence and I plan to keep going!

Today Frunty's Little Gym friend, E, and her mother picked us up and delivered us home. We see them at the Little Gym every week and used to see E at Friday library mornings too. It sure was a treat given that it was quite cold today. Frunty got a medal since it was the last class of this session for his wonderful progress as did all the children. Next week we will go on Tuesdays instead and luckily, E is also going on that day.



Before we got to the Little Gym, we stopped at their home to see their B&B. They built their own home with a B&B section consisting of three bedrooms, a diningroom/livingroom with a computer and internet access. It all has been very tastefully done. If we ever have more guests than we can handle, I will recommend her home as it is quite lovely. We have been invited to come over and play on a Wed. afternoon soon and I feel grateful to have finally made some Belgian friends outside of Daddy's colleagues.

Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.-



Lee Holz

We woke up to a beautiful, blue sky day here in Brussels with the sun shining and making it crisp but pleasant. There still has been no snow here so we are glad we got some good storms in T.O. I went for a 40 minute run in Woluwe Park and then after lunch, we went for a family hike at the Arboretum which is a big forest about a 10 minute drive from our home. When we parked in the forest lot before the path, we found a cute little truck selling warm waffles. Of course, we had to have one or two...Mowgli enjoyed the hike but needed to rest quite a bit. Frunty found mushrooms but reminded us not to eat them. We noticed that because all the shops are closed on Sundays, lots of families are out and about, strolling in the parks. What else can you do when the shops are closed!?



Frunty wants to do crafts now before bath time so had better go. Yesterday we went to the Grande Place as it also was sunny and had some waffles at the Australian Icecream shop. Frunty wanted to rub the statue and remembered that further up, there is a dog to be rubbed as well for good health and asked to be lifted up to reach. Kids really do remember everything.



So we have been back for exactly a week and we are having fun!

Yesterday we visited J&J and we were all happy to see each other again! They went to Taiwan for a holiday and weren't excited about coming back. I do understand the mixed feelings but we are happy in some ways to be back. We have a very quiet life here and I am able to rest a lot. Daddy works very reasonable hours and has a lot of time with us and a lot of holiday time which we are mostly saving for when the new baby arrives. Right now he is working from home which is a treat. Daddy will take Frunty shopping this afternoon while I nap. Daddy woke up very early and did a lot of work before the sun rose.



Next week we are planning on visiting a music class to see if we should join. It is called "La Chaise Musicale." (www.chaisemusicale.be) It is a bit of a trek to get to but it may be worth it. We will sign Frunty up for another session at the Little Gym which isn't close either but worth going to. We also plan to visit the pool. Frunty is also asking about going to school so we may check out a French playschool up the street. The thing is, he really wants to go to school with his cousins!



With Daddy home, I am able to take off for runs and since I am getting a bit sluggish, I am happy I don't have to push the stroller with a twenty-pound kid in it! The vitamin B seems to be working as I have not experienced any carpal tunnel since taking it. (I wear the wrist supports at night.)



We celebrated Mowgli's 10th birthday with a Mexican dinner which kind of made me sick but it was fun anyway! Daddy's out getting us lunch right now and chocolate brownies so I had better set the table. I know we are spoiled! Frunty is trying to use the rowing machine so it's a double reason to sign off prontissimo. Ciao!

I am currently listening to 680 News while writing in my blog and just hearing about the "arctic winds" makes me shiver. We had a snowy rain this morning but the sun is out now. Back home, I hope everyone is bundling up when they go out or better yet, staying home with some hot cocoa.



Last night Daddy melted some Belgian chocolate and added hot milk. It was so rich and creamy. I think I will have to have another one today. Frunty and I just woke up after a nice nap and the boys have gone off for a walk so that I can catch up on our blog.



I ran to the doctor this morning for a pre-natal check-up and everything looks great. I am so grateful that I have a very friendly and funny doctor who takes time to talk to me about everything. I always feel like Dr. de V goes the extra mile with me. I gave him some "moose droppings" from Canada and he chuckled and told the nurse about them. Anyway, our little one is expected June 14th, according to the ultrasound from St.Luc. After the check-up, I continued running, through Woluwe Park and despite the rain, I thought it was a nice run. Last night I used our new rowing machine for half an hour. The doctor says I am fine to continue exercising and I am happy that I can. I do have to take a break from weight lifting as I am experiencing some carpal tunnel syndrome.



Our Christmas trip had many wonderful highlights but of course, some hard parts to deal with too. Our dear friend and neighbour who is a young Mom of 4 is suffering greatly with terminal cancer. We delivered a gift to her but she was unable to see us. Reports from other neighbours about our friend were heart-breaking. It just does not seem fair. The tsunami incident was also horribly shocking but at least there is something we can all do in terms of support. We are very grateful that our Canadian friends who were in Phuket got out safely just as the tsunami approached. (someone in a boat urged them to jump on board and they all took off. How lucky that they took this advice and got to safety.) On a happier note...



We got a chance to catch up with many friends and family members although wished we could have had some more time with certain friends. Hopefully in August! Here are some highlights:



#1: Frunty finding eggs in my brother's barn with his cousins and meeting Auntie L's beautiful horse and funny lama, Lloyd

#2: Playing trains with Grampa, eating Gramma's yogourt with homemade jam, learning how to use the Nonni's computer and drinking Mango juice

#3: Meeting friends/family at sushi restaurants/Lick's/The Mandarin (all kid-friendly and no-smoking!)



I will write more highlights later. I enjoyed going to some movies while Frunty got some excellent babycare. (three cheers to Grampa who got him to fall asleep twice!) I saw:



Ocean's 12 with Mami

Life Aquatic with Steve Zissous and Daddy! (happy anniversary!)

Spanglish with Mom

Meet the Fokkers with Mom, J, B and L

The Polar Express with cousins



We also enjoyed renting movies too. With a roaring fire, we were cozy and enjoyed relaxing in this way. Cheerio for now and thanks to everyone who made our holiday so lovely back home.

We just got home from six wonderful weeks in Toronto where we spent a white Christmas and enjoyed many celebrations with family and friends. I have a lot of blogging to do and will share highlights of our holiday. In the meantime, it's time to tackle jet lag!